Let me start out with a statement that I believe is irrefutable:
Understanding God sometimes is like finding a needle in a haystack.
We search and search but it just seems like a lost cause. We truly want to understand God and to have a relationship with Him but the task seems impossible. Imagine being inserted into Esther’s ongoing drama of life in the palace with an anti-Semite like Haman, or into the drama of Job’s life of losing everything then having those worthless humans called “friends” rip you apart, spout off their drivel, and blame your sin for all that is happening.
That is where we find ourselves this week in a message I have titled When All Seems Lost from Esther 6-Job 20. I will be spending some time with Esther’s feast with the king and Haman and how she “set the table” for it and also how Haman did himself no favors by his arrogance when asked how he would reward someone. The latter half of the message will be on Satan, God and Job’s so-called friends. If you are reading this and are able to attend we would love to have you. We have two services at 9:00 and 10:45. The second service has a youth program. If you are unable to attend in person, please join our live stream at the same times. Send a request to join our Facebook Group at Owen Valley Christian Fellowship or view our public page at Owen Valley Christian Fellowship-Spencer, In. Or you can watch via YouTube at Owen Valley Christian Fellowship. I look forward to seeing you or hearing from you online. And let me ask you to do me a favor: please let us know you are watching and then feel free to comment-yay or nay. If you have any questions, please ask and I will get back to you. Thanks. And thanks for praying for us.
You chose two huge stories to propel your sermon this Sunday, Bill. I know God’s message will shine through your words. Blessings and prayers!
Thanks on all count Martha. And I certainly do pray God’s message will shine through.
I’ve recently come to grips with the fact that I tend to seek comfort and avoid disruption in my life as a way of life far more than I should. Having caught up with watching the Chosen series which really challenged me in the later episodes. I recognize the artistic license that was taken, however, I suspect the portrayal of Jesus, His followers, and the circumstances were not to far off. You write of Job and Esther. Two individuals who had to endure the the tough side of following God. I am sure both could have chosen different paths to bring more comfort and less struggle. How about me? What areas of my life am I choosing an agenda of comfort vs God’s plan? Am I truly taking up my cross daily to follow Jesus? Not that I should seek discomfort, but my goal in life should not be to avoid it. It should be to stop and learn from it and see how God wants to lead me through it. Praying for my Heart, that it Longs for and trust in God and that seeks purity.
You say a wealth of good stuff here Ryan and ask yourself some tough questions. Questions we should all be asking ourselves. As I preach tomorrow I am praying for me to learn from these two, not just those who are in the audience listening. Thanks for your transparency. It is an inspiration and a conviction.